Processing of applications

The Finnish Immigration Service grants several kinds of permits. Although the application process for each permit is slightly different, this is a broad outline of how we process applications.

Applications for residence permits, EU registration and citizenship can be submitted in the e-service Enter Finland or on paper.

Next, the applicant must visit a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) abroad or book an appointment at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service in Finland because we cannot process an application before the applicant’s identity has been verified.

The only way to apply for asylum is to do it personally by talking to a border control official or a police in Finland. There is no application form.

The application is put in the processing queue of the Finnish Immigration Service. The processing time of an application depends on the permit for which the application has been made. You may also use the Processing Time Checker to get an estimate on the remaining processing time of your application.

Asylum seekers hear an estimate on their processing times during the asylum interview.

If the Finnish Immigration Service notices that something is missing from an application or if we need additional information in order to make a decision, we will contact the applicant.

Applications that have been submitted through the e-service must also be supplemented there. Those who have submitted a paper application may supplement it by post or by bringing additional documents to an office or a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service during opening hours.

An applicant may cancel his or her application at any time during its processing.

If an applicant has submitted his or her application through the e-service, he or she will get an email or a text message when a decision has been made. The decision is also visible in the applicant’s account when it is ready.

If an applicant has submitted his or her application on paper or it is an asylum application, he or she will get a letter or an invitation to come and hear the decision.

The decisions of the Finnish Immigration Service may be appealed to an Administrative Court. Instructions on how to appeal are attached to each decision.

For first-time residence permit applicants:

If you submit your application abroad, you cannot come to Finland while your application is being processed to wait for a decision and get your residence permit card here.

If you arrive in Finland while your application is being processed and you wish to wait for a decision here, you need to cancel the application that you submitted outside Finland and submit a new residence permit application in Finland. We will charge you a new processing fee if you submit a new application.

If you were in Finland when you submitted your application, you may wait in Finland while your application is being processed. You may wait in Finland even if your visa-free period of residence ends or your visa expires while you are waiting.